NHRC seeks report from Telangana govt on killing of 5 undertrials

New Delhi: National Human Rights Commission today issued a notice to Telangana government seeking a report over the killing of five under-trials, who were allegedly associated with SIMI and other radical groups, in police custody.

Prima facie, it appears that this is an instance of blatant use of disproportionate force resulting in loss of lives of 5 undertrials who were in judicial custody and gross violation of human rights”, NHRC said in a statement.

The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Telangana, calling for reports within two weeks.

It will further take up the matter in its camp sitting to be held at Hyderabad on April 23.

The notices were issued after the Commission took suo motu cognizance of media reports that Telangana police have
shot dead five undertrials alleged to be associated with SIMI and other radical outfits when they were being brought by them to Hyderabad in connection with a court case on April 7.

According to media reports, the incident took place when the vehicle carrying the undertrials crossed Warangal district border and reached the outskirts of Tanguturu village in Aler Mandal of Nalgonda district.

“One of the undertrials asked the police to halt the vehicle for a toilet break. While getting back to the van, he allegedly snatched an INSAS rifle from a policeman and fired two bullets at a Sub-Inspector sitting in the front row, who ducked and escaped. Sensing danger, other Constables immediately opened fire resulting in the instant death of five undertrials,” the statement said.

The Commission has also observed that from the news report, it transpires that at the time of the incident, at least four of the undertrials were inside the van guarded by the accompanying policemen.